The Story of RISE: How Collaboration, Dignity and a Single Phrase; Sparked a Movement
Every great idea begins as a flicker—a half-formed thought, waiting for the right people, moments and purpose to catch fire. For RISE, that spark ignited nearly a decade ago, in a humble community centre where Scott Cruickshank and I, met with Kirsty Blackman MP and Kevin Stewart MSP
We talked about gaps in our communities: How could we reimagine access to food, music and art in ways that celebrated creativity and human connection?
Those conversations were the embryonic seeds planted, but it would take years of collaboration—and a serendipitous car ride—to bring it to life.
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Aberdeen Central since 2011
Years later, Nigel Llammas and I found ourselves on a long drive home, buzzing with ideas. We envisioned a collective—a “hive” of sorts—where art, artisans, food and culture could intersect to uplift people. But vague concepts need shape.
Enter Clary Wyrd, an artist with the rare gift of turning abstract visions into vivid imagery. Through sketches and conversations, Clary helped crystallize our dream into something tangible.
From "Hive" to "RISE": The Power of Creative Alchemy
Yet the name "Hive" didn’t quite stick.
It lacked the heartbeat of what I truly wanted: a mission centered on “human dignity”.
Why “RISE”? A Mantra Forged in Struggle and Hope.
The shift came when Lewis Hamilton used the phrase “And Still We Rise.” Quoting a line from Maya Angelou’s iconic writings; To describe resilience in the face of racial injustice struck a chord. “*And still we rise*” became a mantra—a reminder that progress demands collective courage.
RISE became an acronym: Reuse, Innovate, Share, Enjoy because it encapsulated all the ingredients that drove me consistently through all these years. I added an image of a battered peacock to remind me of my Indian Tamil heritage and my own life journey’s battles and struggles. But even more significantly, it became a promise. Just as a bird’s wingbeats launches it into flight. To “rise” means to elevate dignity in everything we do—to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered. Whether through repurposing resources, fostering creativity, or sharing joy, every action is a step toward honoring that ideal.
The Lesson: No Idea Grows in Isolation!
While the name RISE is my own, its soul belongs to the community that shaped it. Nigel’s relentless optimism, Clary’s artistic genius, Scott’s musical vision, Kirsty Blackman and Kevin Stewart’s political insight—each thread strengthened the fabric of this vision. Creativity thrives on collaboration, and RISE is proof.
This journey taught me that the most meaningful ideas aren’t “owned”; they’re nurtured by many hands. To anyone building something bigger than themselves: Surround yourself with people who challenge, inspire, and refine your thinking. That’s how flickers become flames.
RISE is more than a name. It’s a call to action—to lift each other up, one act of dignity at a Tim, we begin by offering #PWYC